War, West Virginia

War, West Virginia
City
Nickname:  West Virginia's most southern city
Location of War in McDowell County, West Virginia.
War, West Virginia Location in the State of West Virginia
Coordinates: 37°18′4″N 81°41′3″W
Country	United States
State	West Virginia
County	McDowell
Named for	War Creek
Government
• Mayor	Thomas Hatcher
Area
• Total	0.92 sq mi (2.38 km2)
• Land	0.89 sq mi (2.31 km2)
• Water	0.03 sq mi (0.08 km2)
Elevation	1,342 ft (409 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	690
• Estimate  (2019)	662
• Density	768.80/sq mi (296.85/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	24892
Area code	304
FIPS code	54-84484
GNIS feature ID	1555916
Website	local.wv.gov/war/Pages/default.aspx

War is a city in McDowell County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 690 at the 2020 census. War was incorporated in 1920 by the Circuit Court of McDowell County. Its name is derived from War Creek, whose confluence with Dry Fork is located within the city. War is the only place in the United States with this name. War was formerly known as Miner's City.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.92 square miles (2.38 km²), of which 0.89 square miles (2.31 km²) is land and 0.03 square miles (0.08 km²) is water.

War had a railway station on the Norfolk Southern Railway (former Norfolk and Western)

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1930	1,392		—
1940	1,277		−8.3%
1950	3,992		212.6%
1960	3,006		−24.7%
1970	2,004		−33.3%
1980	2,158		7.7%
1990	417		−80.7%
2000	788		89.0%
2010	862		9.4%
2020	690		−20.0%
2021 (est.)	662		−4.1%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 862 people, 373 households, and 243 families living in the city. The population density was 968.5 inhabitants per square mile (373.9/km²). There were 436 housing units at an average density of 489.9 per square mile (189.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.7% White, 3.2% African American, 0.6% Native American, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.6% of the population.

There were 373 households, of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.1% were married couples living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.9% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.78.

The median age in the city was 44.7 years. 19.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.9% were from 25 to 44; 30.2% were from 45 to 64; and 19.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.2% male and 50.8% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 788 people, 331 households, and 225 families living in the city. The population density was 870.6 people per square mile (334.3/km²). There were 388 housing units at an average density of 428.7 per square mile (164.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.67% White, 4.57% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.38% from other races, and 0.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.63% of the population.

There were 331 households, out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.5% were married couples living together, 14.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.0% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.5% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 27.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $16,012, and the median income for a family was $20,521. Males had a median income of $32,500 versus $18,438 for females. The per capita income for the city was $9,285. About 34.8% of families and 43.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 66.5% of those under age 18 and 15.1% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

• Carl Rutherford, blues musician

See also

• Warriormine, West Virginia

External links

• City of War's Official Site